Sandoval, Adrian Casas ( 2014 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
OF TEXAS
NO. WR-81,545-01
EX PARTE ADRIAN CASAS SANDOVAL, Applicant
ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. CR-3998-06-B IN THE 93RD DISTRICT COURT
FROM HIDALGO COUNTY
Per curiam.
OPINION
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the
clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for a writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte
Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was convicted of capital murder
and sentenced to imprisonment for life without parole. The Thirteenth Court of Appeals affirmed
his conviction. Sandoval v. State, No. 13-07-00392-CR (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg Aug.
27, 2009) (not designated for publication).
Applicant contends that his mandatory sentence of life without parole for a crime he
committed when he was a juvenile violates the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution
2
under Miller v. Alabama.1 He also alleges that Miller should be construed to apply retroactively and
that it should extend to juveniles sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. While this
application was pending in Hidalgo County, this Court decided that Miller applies retroactively to
a claim raised in a post-conviction proceeding. Ex parte Maxwell, 424 S.W.3d 66 (Tex. Crim. App.
2014).
The trial court has determined that Applicant’s sentence violates Miller. Relief is granted.
The sentence in Cause No. CR-3998-06-B in the 93rd District Court of Hidalgo County is vacated,
and Applicant is remanded to the custody of the Sheriff of Hidalgo County for further sentencing
proceedings to permit the factfinder to assess Applicant’s sentence at (1) life with the possibility of
parole or (2) life without parole after consideration of Applicant’s individual conduct, circumstances,
and character. Applicant’s remaining claims are dismissed. The trial court shall issue any necessary
bench warrant within 10 days after the mandate of this Court issues.
Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Correctional
Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.
Delivered: August 20, 2014
Do not publish
1
132 S. Ct. 2455 (2012).